Changing strings on electric guitar question?

guitar winder image

Jose G

Okay so I'm going to be changing the strings on my guitar later this month and I'm going to just do it by hand without the guitar winder because you can do it without it. But anyways, just a quick question if there is slack before winding and I do not tighten it up will the string hit the fretboard because I think that is what I did wrong the first time.
~Edit~
Sorry I mean if there is slack won't it hit the fretboard?

Answer
If you have more than 3 complete rotations per tuning machine, than you started out with too much slack. What I do is tie one end of the string to the bridge, put the other end of the string in the tuning machine, put my thumb on the guitar between the neck and the bridge, and pull the string until it is pretty tight against my thumb, then I turn the tuning machine one rotation, pull out my thumb and then grab the string and pull it straight up with my hand. This stretches the string. Let go of the string and turn the tuning machine another full rotation. Stretch the string again. That should be enough stretching. Now wind up the tuning machine until the string is in tune.

If you hve more than 3 windings on the tuning machine, you started out with too much slack, so unwind the tuning machine, pull a bit more string through it, then wind it again until the string is in tune.

Also, change the strings one at a time. NEVER take off all the strings at once! You will wreck the neck.

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What kind of a guitar accessory gift should I buy my boyfriend for his birthday?

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iWonder

I need to buy my boyfriend's birthday present but the only thing I know that he wants is a $300 guitar pedal, but I can't afford that at all! I wanted to be a little more creative than a gift card.HelP?

Answer
What a great question. And trust me, you are NOT alone.

I have been playing guitar for over 30 years and many people who buy me gifts often want to know "what I want" or "what I need" for guitar or music. I also teach guitar lessons and parents ask me that a lot as well for their kids.

Depending on your budget, here are a few ideas that are those things that you always use and keep handy:

Guitar Strings - Look around and see if you can find a spare set of strings that your boyfriend is using. If you can find the brand and the gauge of string you're in business. Go to the store and consider buying a "bulk pack" of those strings. Many times they have them on sale in sets of 10 and often with a free gift like a string winder or a pint glass with the Mfg's name on it.

Guitar Cleaning Kit - There are some great kits that have the string cleaner, fretboard cleaner and conditioner, guitar polisher and wax. Dunlop makes a great kit. See the sources below for the link.

Guitar MultiTool - If your boyfriend plays electric, a multitool specifically designed for guitar maintenence is a great gift. There are many to choose from. The most popular one right now is by JP Tool.

Picks - We guitar players are always losing our picks and can never have enough. You can buy them in a bag with 144 and its a great deal. The other option is search online for "custom picks" and you can have picks made with his name on them and sent to you. I can guarantee that will be something he will always remember.

Effect Patch Cables - You mentioned that he wanted a $300 guitar pedal. While that might be out of your budget, it sounds like he is into guitar effects. One thing you can get that every guitar player loves is patch cables. They are those little short cables that hooks up all the other effect pedals together. I would consider a set of George L's effect cable kit. They are great because you can cut the cable to length and build your own cables in minute at the exact length you need. Guitar players love em and having a package of these is a great excuse to add more effects to our pedal boards. See the sources below to get more info.

Finally, most online guitar retail sites have special gift sections and accessories sections. I'd consider going to one of those sites like musiciansfriend or american musical and going to the accessories link and look under gifts. You can sort the results by price and find something within your budget. MusiciansFriend has a great "gift finder" page. You just put in your amount you want to spend and it helps you find the perfect gift.


Hope this helps and good luck.

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How can I remove a bridge pin on an acoustic guitar?

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Allison T

I just tried to change my acoustic guitar strings for the first time, and the bridge pins are really stuck in there. I tried to remove the low E string with needle nose pliers and wiggle it out, but the top of the pin broke and the rest of it is stuck in there. Any suggestions of what I can do to get it out?
I reattached the string so it's still playable, but I can't change it and I'm afraid to change the rest now!

Answer
Okay, loosen your low E string and take it off of the head of the guitar. At the bridge, push the E string down into the guitar an inch or so. This might loosen the pin. Reach your hand into the hole (you probably need to loosen the other strings) and see if you can push out the pin with your fingers. If you can't, try pushing it with something hard like a house key or a coin. Try pushing the other pins out using this method. Again, remember to push the string further into the guitar at the bridge to loosen the pin. You might have to buy a new pin or you can try super-gluing it together and see if you can reuse it.

You might want to check out this tool: http://www.guitarlessonworld.com/lessons/lesson2.htm
It's called a guitar string winder and it comes with a tool to take out the pins. I recommend this over the other method. You can find it at any music store. Good luck!

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How to remove a guitar peg with the string stuck inside?

guitar winder image

Emily

So I was replacing my guitar strings today and on the low E string, I realized I had put it in a little funny because the peg kept popping out. But when I tried to remove the peg, the little metal bit on the end of the string jammed the peg hole and prevented me from removing it. Does anybody know how I can remove the peg?

Answer
Put the A string peg back in. Wrap a car key in a piece of cloth (shirt tail?). Stick it between the pins and pry it out.

or, Use the notch thats in your string winder. Its made for that.

And my favorite for last is, use a pair of side cutters and carefully pry it out.

Always protect the guitar with cloth.

And next time, make sure the string slides in the slot of the pin instead of jamming the pin in and squishing the string against the bridge face inside :)

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What is the purpose of a string winder?

guitar winder image

Meredith J

I have a ukulele, and was reading up on changing strings. It was recommended that I purchase a guitar string winder. What is it? What is its purpose?

Answer
a string winder sits on tuning pegs or machine heads so u can turn em to restring faster. it sure beats turning with ur hand. only a couple bucks.

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What is a popular song thats not real easy to learn on guitar?

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Its that c

My boyfriend is really good at guitar and he wants me to think of a song that he could play for me by tomorrow, but the problem is most popular songs have really simple guitar parts. I need a song that might be a challenge that most people would know, for him to play. I need ideas! Thanks! :)
The one he is bringing is acoustic.

Answer
their is no popular song that is hard. i read another answer from someone else, and like he or she said, you will have to look outside the mainstream music. look into bullet for my valentine, or avenged sevenfold or maybe some old school rock or blues like hendrix or lynyrd skynyrd. the perfect song i can think of ( acually their are two) if you really and i do mean realy challenge him ( because it took me three-four weeks to learn both of these solos. and they are acoustic.

avenged sevenfold: side winder. solo is at 6:04.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GCCKt_Z1q8

pantera: planet caravan. this song is electric but it is a clean tone so you can play it on acoustic.
get him to learn the whole song but the solo is at 2:34.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSI21n04BsI


do not expect him to learn it in an hour or so. good luck.

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How to remove a guitar peg with the string stuck inside?

guitar winder image

Emily

So I was replacing my guitar strings today and on the low E string, I realized I had put it in a little funny because the peg kept popping out. But when I tried to remove the peg, the little metal bit on the end of the string jammed the peg hole and prevented me from removing it. Does anybody know how I can remove the peg?

Answer
Put the A string peg back in. Wrap a car key in a piece of cloth (shirt tail?). Stick it between the pins and pry it out.

or, Use the notch thats in your string winder. Its made for that.

And my favorite for last is, use a pair of side cutters and carefully pry it out.

Always protect the guitar with cloth.

And next time, make sure the string slides in the slot of the pin instead of jamming the pin in and squishing the string against the bridge face inside :)

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How can I remove a bridge pin on an acoustic guitar?

guitar winder image

Allison T

I just tried to change my acoustic guitar strings for the first time, and the bridge pins are really stuck in there. I tried to remove the low E string with needle nose pliers and wiggle it out, but the top of the pin broke and the rest of it is stuck in there. Any suggestions of what I can do to get it out?
I reattached the string so it's still playable, but I can't change it and I'm afraid to change the rest now!

Answer
Okay, loosen your low E string and take it off of the head of the guitar. At the bridge, push the E string down into the guitar an inch or so. This might loosen the pin. Reach your hand into the hole (you probably need to loosen the other strings) and see if you can push out the pin with your fingers. If you can't, try pushing it with something hard like a house key or a coin. Try pushing the other pins out using this method. Again, remember to push the string further into the guitar at the bridge to loosen the pin. You might have to buy a new pin or you can try super-gluing it together and see if you can reuse it.

You might want to check out this tool: http://www.guitarlessonworld.com/lessons/lesson2.htm
It's called a guitar string winder and it comes with a tool to take out the pins. I recommend this over the other method. You can find it at any music store. Good luck!

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Changing strings on electric guitar question?

guitar winder image

Jose G

Okay so I'm going to be changing the strings on my guitar later this month and I'm going to just do it by hand without the guitar winder because you can do it without it. But anyways, just a quick question if there is slack before winding and I do not tighten it up will the string hit the fretboard because I think that is what I did wrong the first time.
~Edit~
Sorry I mean if there is slack won't it hit the fretboard?

Answer
If you have more than 3 complete rotations per tuning machine, than you started out with too much slack. What I do is tie one end of the string to the bridge, put the other end of the string in the tuning machine, put my thumb on the guitar between the neck and the bridge, and pull the string until it is pretty tight against my thumb, then I turn the tuning machine one rotation, pull out my thumb and then grab the string and pull it straight up with my hand. This stretches the string. Let go of the string and turn the tuning machine another full rotation. Stretch the string again. That should be enough stretching. Now wind up the tuning machine until the string is in tune.

If you hve more than 3 windings on the tuning machine, you started out with too much slack, so unwind the tuning machine, pull a bit more string through it, then wind it again until the string is in tune.

Also, change the strings one at a time. NEVER take off all the strings at once! You will wreck the neck.

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